Chorus Opens Membership to Women - First Time Since 1961 Charter​Harmony Kings are among the first in music society’s 80-year history

Marilyn auditions with the Music Team

When the “Green River Chordcasters” were chartered in 1961 as a chapter chorus of the “Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America” (SPEBSQSA) only men were permitted to join. Much has changed since then. The chorus is now the “Federal Way Harmony Kings,” the society is known as the “Barbershop Harmony Society” with chapters on six continents, and for the first time in their 80-year history, women are permitted to join.

Women have been directing BHS choruses for some time (Karen Caldwell is the FWHK director since 2008) but not allowed to sing in contests or become full members. This changed in 2018 when the society, as part of their “Everyone in Harmony” initiative, opened membership to all, with chapters given their own choice whether to admit women into their ranks or remain traditionally male-only, starting in January. The Harmony Kings tried a very successful “Come and Sing” program last fall; inviting both men and women for free singing lessons and to join them on-stage for the annual Federal Way Community Appreciation Concert. Shortly after, their members voted strongly to embrace this new culture. The first female member was chorus director Karen Caldwell, naturally. The second passed her audition on January 22, making Marilyn Soderquist officially the first “on the risers” with her “fellow” members, helping to build this new “mixed barbershop” sound.

As resident artists of the new Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, the Federal Way Harmony Kings are proud to make this progressive change, reflecting our diverse community in a more representative way, and invite all men and women who love to sing to spread the joy of a cappella harmony with them.

If you are a man or woman who loves to sing, join us at a Harmony Kings rehearsal. Every Tuesday, 7:30PM at Journey Church in Federal Way.

Welcome to the Harmony Kings website!

For over 55 years the Federal Way Harmony Kings have been performing tight four-part harmony throughout the South Puget Sound (WA) area. From civic events to birthdays, from sporting events to singing valentines, you can always count on the Harmony Kings to provide a quality and fun musical experience.

The Harmony Kings perform at many events throughout the year, as well as sing in several barbershop competitions. We are a non-profit organization that contributes to the community through our international society, the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), and our local organization, the Evergreen District.

Watch our chorus perform Armed Forces Medley from the 2017 Show...

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David Foss 2017 Barbershopper of the Year

David Foss named the 2017 Harmony Kings Barbershopper of the Year!

We are proud to recognize David for his hard work and dedication behind the scenes. For the last 7 years, David has worked in multiple activities to insure the quality of Harmony Kings annual shows. David has written the last three shows, and is working on his fourth show for 2018.​His first show was “Love Letters” in 2015, as the chorus explored the ins and outs of relationships, mistakes, and misunderstandings. In 2016 he had the chorus “Reminiscing” about a retired Barbershopper and is Grandson, and in 2017 we celebrated “America” complete with a tribute to our Armed Services and patriotic music. David is busy working on “The Weather Girl” for May 2018.

This year, when David saw a need for a music librarian, he jumped in with both feet and supervised the library, including our recent move to Journey Church. Again, when a need arose, David volunteered to co-chair the 2018 Show team, planning our first performance at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center.

To help fill out his time with Harmony Kings, David serves as the Baritone section leader. He also is a founding member of Harmony Knights Quartet. Harmony Knights is Harmony Kings’ most active quartet, having represented us at District Convention multiple times. For fun David also sings with Bellevue’s Northwest Sound as a dual member.

The Harmony Kings have been awarding a Barbershopper of the Year Award for over 55 years! What a wonderful way to say thank you to our hard-working members.